Drop in at Hollywood Arms’

Throughout the production of “Hollywood Arms” audiences will want to wrap their arms around the main character, Helen, and give her a comforting hug.

Abandoned by her mother and living with her grandmother, Helen is a young teenager subjected to alcoholism, a sometimes-there father, a lack of stability, and a constant fear of wondering what tragedy will strike next.

Throughout the production of “Hollywood Arms” audiences will want to wrap their arms around the main character, Helen, and give her a comforting hug.

Abandoned by her mother and living with her grandmother, Helen is a young teenager subjected to alcoholism, a sometimes-there father, a lack of stability, and a constant fear of wondering what tragedy will strike next.

Yet despite the dysfunction there is an under current of love that helps the characters navigate towards uncertain futures.

Showing now through April 7 at the Mansfield Music & Arts Society Black Box Theatre, is “Hollywood Arms” directed by Dawn Crocker Tucker of Foxborough. The play was written by Carrie Hamilton and her mother, actress Carol Burnett, and is based on Burnett’s humble beginnings.

Set in the 1940-50s, Helen’s mother, Louise, leaves her in Texas with her grandmother, Nanny, while Helen pursues a writing career in Hollywood.

Nanny is a tough Texas gal played by Beth Goldman of Norwood. Goldman provides many of the show’s laughs especially when trying to explain the birds and bees to young Helen. She also uses Nanny’s unfortunate stomach ailments to great comic relief.

Actress Stephanie Carlson of Easthampton makes us both despise Louise and sympathize with her. Divorced from Helen’s father and dating two different men, one of them married, Louise is in a constant state of flux.

When Helen and Nanny move to Hollywood, California, Louise has them move into an apartment across the hall from her own. She continues to date and go about her business without being too involved in her own daughter’s life.

Her inability to connect with Helen may stem from her relationship with Nanny, as it is revealed that Nanny married six times and had many men floating in and out during Louise’s childhood.

Carlson makes you uncomfortable at times, showing just how selfish and cruel Louise can be to her own daughter. She becomes pregnant with (married) Nick’s baby and upon giving birth to baby Alice, tells Helen it is the most beautiful baby she’s ever seen, ignorant to the hurt her words carry.

Young Helen is played with a wide-eyed sweetness by Cumberland, R.I. actress Sarah Dube. Don’t let Dube’s big brown eyes fool you, she may look innocent but often comes across bigger than life, carrying many a scene with a simple look or gesture.

She creates sympathy from the audience as she deals with the dysfunctional family around her.

Her father, Jody, is a drunkard, played by Plymouth’s Joe LaGreca. Jody has good intentions but can’t quit the bottle. He wants to be there for his daughter, but his sickness doesn’t allow him a permanent role in her life.

Page 2 of 2 - After Louise gives birth to Alice, Nick is nowhere in the picture, but the other man she’s been seeing, Bill Burgess, played by Norton’s Brian Kelly, is.

During the pregnancy Louise begins her own battle with alcohol and after Alice’s birth starts to deteriorate.

At this time Helen is grown up and making a life for herself separate from her family. The older Helen is played with unlimited energy by Jordan MacKenzie of Quincy.

Helen has a job, is going to college and majoring in theater. She stars in a play and an anonymous benefactor takes notice, giving her $1,000 for a fresh start in New York City.

Upon hearing of Helen’s good news, Louise, drunk and obviously jealous, hits her daughter and Bill intervenes, proposing marriage, which Louise accepts because she has no other options.

Helen continues on her path towards stardom, and despite reservations from Nanny, moves to New York where she experiences success in her chosen field.

Meanwhile Alice is left behind to fend for herself and Nanny is getting up there in age. Helen steps in to help her younger sister, accepting Louise’s limitations as a mother.

Each actor transforms into their characters including Jeanette Lake-Jackson of Dedham who plays Dixie, a friend of the family and manager of the building they reside in. Also living in the apartment complex is Dixie’s son, Malcom, played by Kevin Earley of Sharon.

Mansfield’s soon to be retired Police Chief, Arthur O’Neill, makes a special guest appearance in a scene with Bruce Fisher of Rumford, RI. Both play what else — police officers.

Incredibly flawed, the unconventional family learns to accept each other’s weaknesses and in the end you realize there is love, maybe not in a neatly wrapped package with a bow, but love non-the-less.

The production by New England Repertory Company will run until Sunday, April 7 with performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and two matinees at 2 p.m. (no show Easter Sunday). Tickets for the matinees are almost sold out.

The show will be performed at the Black Box Theater, 377 North Main St., Mansfield.

The set design is by Emmy winning designer, Ted Talanian and built by John Meyer and Ken Butler. Glenn Fournier is responsible for set painting and dressing with some help by Nancy Wall.